Noxolo, on the other hand, was extremely exhilarated. Family lunch days were on Saturdays and it was a lovely Saturday with the sun generously present. Noxolo was mostly fond of this distinct family lunch day because Khumo would be joining them.

Khumo joined the Ndzimande family every now and then for their get-togethers. It was mainly because he worked on Saturdays at a local butchery owned by his uncle. But on this Saturday, he was given a day off and opted to join the Ndzimande’s.

They went to a very intimate Steakhouse. This was not out of the usual since the Ndzimande’s were meat lovers. Khumo had arranged to meet them there as he had some errands to run for his mother, Angela, that Saturday morning.

The Ndzimande’s arrived first and Khumo arrived just as they were about to have their orders taken. But Khumo was not the only person who had planned to join the family. The strange man who had been pushed into Noxolo’s subconscious mind showed up again and Vuyiswa was terrified. He was after all the man that had disturbed the peace and harmony that existed in their family.

He stared at Vuyiswa as though he was expecting her to plead for mercy for something she had done to him. The rest of the family sat there, waiting for the man to say something. Noxolo’s mind felt like a tornado. What was he doing here? How had he found them? Noxolo could not hold her peace any longer.

“You’re the man that raped my mom’s close friend. What are doing here? Mom told you she did not want you here!” blurted out Noxolo.

Joe tried to calm Noxolo down. But the uninvited guest was amused.

“Oh, so you know about the affair then?” the man arrogantly queried, as though to provoke her. He was set on revealing how far from a saint Vuyiswa was.

The atmosphere was covered with unsullied tension and underlying frustration. The only person who was brave enough to exchange words with this man was Noxolo.

“Don’t lie to us!” she exclaimed. “You are mom’s cousin and she disowned you because of what you did and now you’re just lying because you want to get back at her!”

Noxolo’s rage was building up and Khumo attempted to convince her to relax and allow the eccentric man to explain. Before the man could explain, Noxolo’s father, who seemed puzzled, admitted that this was not Vuyiswa’s cousin. He knew the cousin that once raped Vuyiswa’s friend and this man was not him. Everyone looked at Vuyiswa in shock and the look on their faces was enough to demand answers straightaway.

Tears began streaming down Vuyiswa’s face.

“I… Yes it is true. I have been having an affair with Vusi but I ended it!” she confessed.

“And that is supposed to make it OK?” an infuriated Joe replied.

Vuyiswa wanted to apologise but Vusi, definitely did not back down.

“That’s not all there is to tell, now is it, Vuyiswa?”

Vuyiswa instantly begged Vusi not to disclose any further information. But Vusi was deeply hurt and offended that she had chosen to leave him after so many years.

“Noxolo, Joe and Vuyiswa are not your biological parents!” he exposed.

Noxolo experienced the mixed sensations of hurt, confusion and anger all at once.

“Nox baby, we love you,” Vuyiswa anxiously cried out.

“You mean it is true? How is that possible…When you raised me since I was a baby?” Noxolo felt light-headed and held onto Khumo for support. She was not only holding on for physical strength but also for emotional strength. She felt sick to her stomach.

***

Tell us: Do you think Joe knew about this all along?